By FREDDY GONZALEZ
Staff Writer
HARLINGEN — When Port Isabel head coach Monty Stumbaugh and Rio Hondo head coach Rocky James look across the field tonight, the two will see a very familiar opponent — history.
Since 1951 these two prestigious programs have battled on the gridiron and up until tonight Rio Hondo holds the series lead with a 17-16 record.
Nevertheless, one thing is certain, when the two meet tonight at 7:30 at Rio Hondo’s Bobcat Stadium, Port Isabel will be looking to even things up.
At 4-1, 1-0 both teams are in prime position to contend for the 16-4A DII title and only one will be afterwards.
Last year Rio Hondo’s defense came up big in a 21-14 victory at Tarpon Stadium.
Tied at 14-14 apiece with four minutes left on the clock, the Bobcat’s defense forced a fumble and gave their offense one more chance.
That was all they needed, as the Bobcat offense drove the ball 44 yards down the field before capping it off with a game-winning 4-yard touchdown.
The two teams share a long history against each other.
Over the course of the last five seasons, Port Isabel leads the series 3-2. However, during the last 10 years, the Bobcats have consistently gotten the better of Stumbaugh’s boys and lead 6-4.
“This game is a district game but it’s also a big rivalry,” said Stumbaugh. “The kids are ready to play; they know what’s at stake and know what it takes to go 2-0.
“They (Rio Hondo) have a good defense but we feel we can move the ball, because we’re going to have to move the ball.”
And Rio Hondo coach James agrees.
“There’s really nothing to say to the kids other than we’re playing P.I. this week,” he said. “It’s a huge game and the kids know, the fans know and you can see it in the excitement of the kids.
“The kids know this game means a whole bunch, it’s for bragging rights. We have the utmost respect for them as players and coaches so it makes for a great atmosphere.”
At 4-1, Port Isabel’s only blemish of the season was a 47-27 loss to a St. Joseph’s team that has amassed more than 2,500 of offensive yards this season.
Meanwhile, Rio Hondo’s one loss comes at the hands of Juarez-Lincoln, a game in which the Bobcat’s defense only conceded 69 total yards. However, 14 points were surrendered through special teams. Something Coach James and his team have worked to correct since then.
Offensively, the Bobcats have been consistent this season, with quarterback Daniel Flores at the helm. The senior has produced 889 yards of total offense, with 550 passing yards and 339 rushing yards. That accounts for more than half of the teams 1,647 yards.